Middle Lane Hogger Fined

[mushroom25]

wigan decorator ian stephens believes he's been picked on because he drives a white van
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/wigan-driver-convicted-middle-lane-9507181

but he didn't go to court to argue his case -
//I can’t afford nearly £1,000. I didn’t go to court because I have to go to work.//

white van man arrogance? or pragmatism borne of police harrassment?

[Deskdiary]

Whilst I am of the view that middle lane hoggers are a pain in the ***, 5 points and a £1000 fine seems completely disproportionate to the 'offence'.

In fact, I'm not even sure it should be an offence. It may be inconsiderate, but just so long as they are driving safely and keeping up with the traffic, its not really that much of a problem.

If he was driving as he said he was, then he's been unlucky. I'm struggling to see how he would have made people "swerve and brake". If he was hogging the middle lane, then (a) surely they would have seen him, and (b) if they were forced to "swerve and brake" then I would suggest this speaks more about their driving than his.

Bottom line for me is that this all sounds a bit odd.

[paul1763]

did 'lots of other vans stay in the inside lane' because of the wind and gradient or because of the law? dont commit the crime if you can't pay the fine,although i do think £940 is excessive.

[TWR]

It's an example to other Inconsiderate motorist & I totally agree with it, I could not understand for the life of me why these people would not drive in the Inside lane, I always thought they were frightened or there was a magnet holding them there.

[Baldric]

So, HGV Drivers never hog the middle lane for miles when overtaking another HGV going ½mph slower than they are?
They should have the book thrown at them imo!

[1ozzy]

He could paint his van another colour ;-).

[Baldric]

Red vans are just as bad Oz!

[TWR]

08.02, as the righteous travel & risk other's lives doing a 100 MPH

[Baldric]

I think you misunderstand the story TWR, this one is about Lane Hogging not speeding!

[Gromit]

He refused to pay an on the spot fine of £100.

At court he was fined £1000.

A fool and his money are easily parted.

[Gromit]

Also, he would have got 3 points on his license at roadside. On Court it is 5.

[Old_Geezer]

Middle lane driving can be a pain if the left one is empty and folk are having to move out two lanes to pass by and then move back again. (Or opt to be deliberately dangerous and pig headed and undertake, and then claim it isn't undertaking because they chose that lane quite a way back.)

But I'd agree it is made too much of usually. It's clearly safer to have a free lane either side, and most folk aren't dawdling anyway but going the speed limit (or more, probably). If the issue is with those who object to having to move out at 100mph because they should be entitled to drive undisturbed then that's not something to be moaning about or doing much about.

That stated, I assume just 60 mph, and a decision to nab him, must suggest that the circumstances were, he was causing an issue on this occasion.

[douglas9401]

From here it looks like a bit of muscle flexing by a magistrate. An appeal will surely deliver a more measured penalty.

All of that notwithstanding the driver comes across as a bit of a dolt.

[Gromit]

Middle lane hogging comes under careless driving.

The Police were given powers to issue careless drivers with on-the-spot fines in 2013.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-penalties-to-tackle-tailgating-and-middle-lane-hogging

[thesecondlaw]

Quite right. He comes across as a bit of a twerp. I hope this is the first of many such fines/points. Middle lane hogging is a totally needless exercise.

[mikey4444]

Great news as far as I am concerned...too many pillocks like this driver on our Motorways. And being a white van driver has nothing to do with it !

Perhaps he will learn to be more courteous in the future.

[Maydup]

I really don't think he would have been nabbed for the sake of it. By the sounds of it he was dawdling along refusing to get over and the colour of his van made no difference whatsoever.

[Gromit]

It is really about being courteous, it is about following the laws of the road. The Highway Code says: “If you are overtaking a number of slower-moving vehicles, you should return to the left-hand lane as soon as you are safely past.” Failing to do that is careless driving.

[mikey4444]

Its just common sense to me !

[anotheoldgit]

/// believes he’s been made an example of because he’s a 'WHITE' van driver. ///

Say no more. :0)

[mushroom25]

according to reports, £500 of his fine was levied because he failed to appear.

because he had to go to work.

how would UK justice be if all "accused" decided they were too busy?